I’m currently living in Los Angeles, CA. Moved here from Reno with a November 1st move-in date. So let’s do the math… it’s been three months of LA-living, which in the winter has meant that everything is up in the air and indie film is all over the place (or maybe that’s how it always is?).

Bottom line (but not literally), I’m down here to pursue film. I’ve been doing so through the freelance life as a Script Supervisor and Assistant Director. … but the dream (as is for many on crew in film) is to be a Writer/Director.

Quick recap: I’ve produced and/or helped coordinate plenty of short films (current count is at 82, 40 of which I directed, and 30 I’ve written), but it’s time to takes steps to continue to level up, especially now that I am where I am.

Which means….

…it’s time for Eddie to make his first feature film already!!!

Guess what? …It’s happening. This is the first public mentioning of this big 2019 goal of mine. So you know it’s been in the works for a bit and is kind of a big deal (to me).

I’m currently in the writing process. Plans are to have this thing shot this summer and completed by the end of the year.

We shall see.

Aiming to see what kind of budget I can get together (for the first time) so be ready to start hearing more about what my plan is in hopes of getting a donation from you later ;)

The feature film is being written with Michelle Hinberg in mind as my lead and Zariah Dally as my Director of Photography… and I’m stoked. It’s a chance to dive further into a project than I ever have before. I’m always trying to find ways to push myself and here we are. The team that moved out together produces together.

This year is about doing my best to stay true to myself, stay true to those I care about, and keep meeting and collaborating with the best. Let’s see what we can make happen.

“Just make cool stuff.” - Kevin Feige said to Eddie Vigil V

The quote above was said to me by a hero of mine at an event where I built the courage to go up and speak to him. — Changed my life. — Keep it simple. — I asked him what I’d need to do be hired as a Director for a Marvel movie and that’s what he said… and I’ll take it, lol, because I know it’s true. Nothing specific he could have said.

But back to LA life…

It’s been three months. I’ve worked on one feature film, a few TV pilots, and a multitude of shorts, producing one of my own in collaboration with tons of awesome peeps (‘Van Life’ coming soon) !

‘Van Life’

Produced by Michael Gabel and Eddie Vigil V

On top of everything else, we’ve been making sure that we, as the EMZ (Eddie Michelle Zariah) crew, has been keeping busy by throwing together some wacky YouTube shorts.

Simply put, doing what I know the best I can.

Oh, and have even gone as far as assisting (as their Assistant Director) on my first viral video… this one’s purpose is to get a new, awesome friend of mine, Jennifer Durst (aka Jurassic Jen) cast in the next Jurassic World movie (so watch and share that, ha!)…

There’s been a theme that’s been easy to spot… that this city isn’t going to make anything easy. I’ve had the chance to sit with plenty of people who’ve been here for years grinding it out, some more successful than others, but it’s apparent that it’s always going to be a lot of work.

I’m just glad I’m used to it coming from what I was doing with Reno Film Collective before coming out. So even with the amount of experience I feel I’m bringing to the table I understand how much more I’ll need to gain and that I’ll always need to keep growing.

My mental toughness has been tested. Doubts can sometimes creep in. Lulls can feel like they drag on forever. Constantly reminding myself this is a marathon, not a sprint, is the single most helpful thing I’ve been able to do to keep myself sane (or sane for me, ha). Plenty of reasons to love life. Keep it positive.